---
sourceDocument: Australia Workflow Data Fabric
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/integrate-applications

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Workflow Data Fabric

ft:clusterId :

    - crint

bundleId :

    - crint

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Open a local automation project

# Open a local automation project in RPA Desktop Design Studio {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Open an automation project from the local file system in RPA Desktop Design Studio, so that you can debug, build, or modify the
automation.

## Before you begin

Create an automation project. For more information, see [Create an automation project manually](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/btWDSLOdHiRShjJ7Bup5ZQ "Create an attended or unattended automation project manually in RPA Desktop Design Studio that enables you to automate tasks. You can create an automation project that is based on a prebuilt template and targeted at a use case, or you can create an automation project without using a template.") or [Create an automation with AI](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/SnkN~~rHWlKFgzhp1KhCig "Create an automation from text instructions and preview options by using the ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub application.").

Download the automation package file by accessing the associated package file in RPA Hub. For more information, see [Download a package version in RPA Hub](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ldg9dQF00NvYhWt8Jxda9A "Download a package version in RPA Hub so that it can be opened from the RPA Desktop Design Studio to build, debug, or modify the automation.").

Role required: none

## Procedure

1. In the RPA Desktop Design Studio, navigate to HomeAutomation projects.
2. Select Open local project.
3. In the Open ServiceNow Automation Project dialog box, select a project.
4. Select Open.
5. **Optional:** If the plugin versions that are used in the project aren't found in the local framework, go to the Choose Plugin Version dialog box, select the plugin versions to be used, and select OK.  
   Important:  
   When you open an older automation project in the latest version of [Set up RPA Desktop Design Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/x8c1EZHg_pBd0Y0LhPdIJQ "Set up RPA Desktop Design Studio to add your ServiceNow RPA Hub instance details in Connection Manager and to start using the application."), the Upgrade Plugin Version dialog box is displayed. If you proceed to upgrade the plugin version and any automation components are unavailable after the upgrade, then these components are marked as Unknown in the automation project.

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